Swan Lake - English National Ballet 

Milton Keynes Theatre - November 2014

Performed for more than 135 years and still the world's most popular ballet - Swan Lake is a timeless classic story set to Tchaikovsky's glorious score, superbly performed by the English National Ballet.

The story of Price Siegfried's love for the bewitched Swan Queen Odette, their battle against the wicked half man, half bird sorcerer Rothbert and their fateful encounter with the manipulative Odile.

This iconic ballet supported by a full ENB orchestra will not fail to please the most dedicated ballet fan or first ballet goer alike.

Headed up by choreographer Derek Deane, there is no better company than the English National Ballet to present this popular classic.

The ENB company are refined, expressive and coherent - you will be mesmerised by this opulent production.

The female corps de ballet pieces are absolutely spectacular, when all of the dancers are on stage, dressed in their glistening shimmering white tutus - it is a sight to behold.  They all move as one, with the soft padding of pointe shoes rhythmically tapping in total harmony ... it was breathtaking.

The charming set design (Peter Farmer) and atmospheric lighting (Howard Harrison) complemented the graceful magic of the dancers - picture the first rays of sunlight splitting through wafts of dry ice depicting a lakeside at dawn...beautiful.

Prima ballerina Alina Cojocaru is captivating - playing the twin roles of Odette and Odile, portraying the contrasting purity and innocence of Odette with the calculating seductress Odile.

Cojocaru does not disappoint, dancing effortlessly together alongside Brazilian dancer Alejandro Virelles, with their feet immaculately placed in perfect union.  Virelles showed real strength, poise and agility throughout.  The two principles were outstanding.

This was a wonderful, very beautiful and faultless production.

Lily B X